In my first SCCA Solo2 event, I quickly realized the limitations of my OEM rubber. I was actually expecting to notice a loss in braking first... however, after screeching my way around the course the first time, I quickly realized the benefits of running with better tires.

I entered the ESP class [and will be in this class for the rest of this season], primarily because of the Cobb stage II map I am running. I had fun at this first event, and finished with a respectable showing [and trophy] but I wanted to prepare my car a little better for the next event. With that said, I decided to take advantage of this class, which allows me to run slicks.

After shopping around for tires, I decided to go with the Avon TECH RA's using my stock rims to mount them to. The tires are 225/45/17's. I purchased them online at The Tire Rack.

My next event is on April 22nd. I will shoot a bunch of photos and post an article of the event.

sweet man you should have some fun. if your worried about PAX the thing that i dont like about race tires is the modifier. its like 1.1xx seconds added to your time for running race tires for PAX. I had an autox today. decided the evo doesnt push as hard as the rex but it still pushes hard.

if you are content in ESP then the next thing i reccomend are some coilovers or some front and rear swaybars. or both :lol:

Robby
02 rex is gone.
I defected to an evo :)
Evo is gone :(
Now I got nothing.

It is my understanding that my PAX is the same even with these tires. Basically, these tires are allowed in ESP class. Granted, ESP's PAX is worse then, say, the STU class; which I could run if I flash my ECU back to stock and didn't use the DOT-R rubber.

I am going to consider coilovers in the future. Currently, I have Cobb springs and sway bars on my WRX; and I am quite happy with the handling they currently provide.

After this weekend, I will reevaluate my set up and consider my next modifications.

I might consider modding the engine some more as I am allowed a bigger intercooler and methanol injection. For the time being, however, I will not be moving up to a bigger turbo as I originally planned for the car. That would put me in the Street Modified class; a class I am just not ready for.

Oh, and the price was $138 a piece. A little over $600 with shipping.

Rich
Latest: Meth Injection, Open Source

Last edited by 2006WRXTR; 04-16-2007 at 06:28 AM.
Reason: Forgot to add the price

Before you run them at a event- heat cycle them- simply drive at moderate speeds for ~ 45 minutes and then put them up for 24-48 hrs- this will add significant life to the tires

Thanks for the edit note, Sky

My plan for heat cycling: mount them Saturday morning, and take an easy drive on the highways. Race on Sunday.

Kidid, I saw in the other AutoX thread that you get a +1 second for the R-Comp's, in your region. I am going to look into this further in my area; I don't believe there is that type of penalty for running those tires in SP or SM class here.

Well, I heat cycled them today. I did run with them a bit. AMAZING. I mean, I knew the tires would grip, but I cannot believe the grip. And the steering wheel feel is so much better. The car felt so solid on the road. I cannot wait until Sunday when I get to run them in the Solo2 event.

just one word of advice. if you are new to autox or any form of racing run a year in a stock car if its possible. learn to out drive the car you have now then let the car catch up to you not the other way around. thats how im doing and im beating guys in the same car that just started with rcomps and coilvers.

Robby
02 rex is gone.
I defected to an evo :)
Evo is gone :(
Now I got nothing.

Well, the tires were awesome. Amazing the difference with them as opposed to OEM. Granted, everyone I talked to told me they were going to be great, but once I experienced it for myself.... amazing. Sticky.

As for 'running stock'... uh, that's a no. Unfortunately, I modded my car prior to even realizing my interest in Autocross. With that said, my doing Autocross has stopped me from modding any more. In fact, I will eventually create a custom map that will not increase boost levels... I think that will get me into the STU class; need to research that a little more. But this is not a rush. I am just going to stay in novice for the rest of the season and do my best to increase my skill.

As for Sunday's event; I ended up in 4th place out of 19 in the novice division. I believe I had the fastest time in this class, but my PAX for ESP is not so great. No big deal. I really enjoyed myself. My best time was the one run when I was by myself; the other runs I had my wife, my father-in-law, and a friend as passengers... one at a time; not all in the car at once. That would be funny though.

My region does not do a "novice" Class, so I am forced to run in SM, I will have to play chaser for a while, as I modded my car before realizing my interest in autoX as well, I did not do so hot yesterday, my car was all over the place(stock RE92's). I don't have the money for tires at the time, so I hvae to wait to get them, but at least it is a learning experience, but, I am about to deploy, so no biggy, I would not be able to complete this season anyhow, but i do know one thing, I am getting tht thing loweer to the ground before I worry about new tires, I have horrible pushing issues, so I am going with sway bars and endlinks first, then on to coilovers, then on to rims and tires, then on to king of the ####ing world!

The region here only allows you to run three events as a novice. I'm also in the SM class because of the mods that I have done to the car mainly the boost, but not a big deal still having fun. In my last two events have taken 5th and 4th. Matched my times to the SM class and they were not to bad. A little more practice and I'm hoping to be more competitive in my class.